Desire

Catalysto wins Bronze Award at ICAD Awards for its creative work for the Institute of Art Design & Technology (IADT).

Catalysto was awarded a bronze bell (the highest award given in the category) for its work on the IADT 2012/2013 collateral.

Appointed by IADT in 2012, Catalysto was tasked with strengthening and re-positioning the IADT brand through a complete overhaul of the institute’s extensive range of printed brochures, catalogues, prospectuses, handbooks and more.

The resulting materials have been widely commented upon and appreciated throughout the creative industry and beyond. The awarded collateral is the ‘opening statement’ in the campaign which will develop over three years.

Founded in 1958, ICAD is a non-profit, membership led body ‘made up of the best creatives in Ireland’. ICAD’s primary aim is ‘to foster, promote and reward creative excellence in Irish Advertising & Design’.

“We are very appreciative of the opportunity afforded to us by IADT. They are, in every respect, an excellent client, with a very clear vision – IADT is a fundamentally important institution providing the Irish creative industry with exceptional highly skilled talent. The Institute of Art Design & Technology (IADT) is the only educational institution recognized at this year’s ICAD Awards.” (Garrett Stokes, Partner/Creative Director, Catalysto).

World Industrial Design Day

World Industrial Design Day, an initiative of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), is observed annually on 29 June in recognition of the profession of industrial design.

World Industrial Design Day was established to promote awareness of the profession of industrial design, highlight the contribution designers and academics have made to the discipline and facilitate collaborations that help improve economic, social, cultural and environmental quality of life throughout the world.

World Industrial Design Day 2013
“Industrial design is open” has been announced as the 2013 World Industrial Design Day theme. To celebrate, Icsid invites participants to explore ways in which industrial design is open and accessible to all.

There are many ways to celebrate World Industrial Design Day; events such as sustainability workshops, exhibitions, international symposiums on socially responsible design, webcasts, free admission to museums to name but a few. Share your plans for World Industrial Design Day with Icsid on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #widd

Closing date for the second call to the WDC Micro-Loan Fund for the Creative Industries is last working day of March 2013.

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has launched its 2nd call for funding applicants under its Micro Loan Fund for Creative Industries. Following a very successful first call in June of last year, the fund has already disbursed €120,000 to creative businesses in the Western Region and looks forward to increasing its disbursals over 2013.

The WDC Micro-Loan Fund: Creative Industries is open to: sole traders, partnerships, businesses, co-operatives and groups operating in the creative industries sector. This is defined as: Occupations and industries centred on creativity, for the production and distribution of original goods and services. The preference is for businesses to be incorporated i.e. a company limited by shares or a company limited by guarantee but non-incorporated businesses will be considered.

The following 12 creative industries make up the creative sector. Businesses from these sectors are eligible to apply:

Advertising
Architecture
Art/Antiques trade
Crafts
Design
Digital media
Fashion
Internet and software
Music, visual and performing arts
Publishing
Radio and TV broadcasting
Video, film and photography

The business must be based in the Western Region (Donegal, Sligo, Roscommon, Leitrim, Mayo, Galway and Clare) to access the WDC Micro-Loan Fund.

The funding will be used to grow and develop the business in accordance with the promoter’s business plan.

If you feel that this type of funding will help grow your business, and you have the capacity to repay the loan, then you may be interested in applying for a micro-loan.

More information is available, and an Application Form can be downloaded, on www.wdc.ie/microfundci

illusive forms and letters (typography-calligraphy-graffiti)

Stroke Urban Art Fair – Berlin, 13 – 16 September 2012.

The Stroke Urban Art Fair Berlin, now in its third year will take place once again at the Postbahnhof Berlin. Within the last two years, more than 60,000 visitors came to see artists and galleries from all over the world including Poland, Brazil, Austria, USA, Italy, France, Chile, Spain, Switzerland or the UK. The organisers tell us “In fact the huge variety of subcultural dynamics of the last 30 years in this melting pot is self-replicating”.

One of the exhibitors at this year’s Stroke Urban Art Fair – Blaqk is a collaboration between 2 designers from Athens Greece, Greg Papagrigoriou and Simeκ – creating a mix of illusive forms and letters (typography-calligraphy-graffiti).

Global Design Forum … one day to set the global agenda for design

The organisers are calling it “A creative platform for presenting and debating important and controversial ideas, both on and off the stage” Tuesday 18th September 2012 is the date of the inaugural Global Design Forum, taking place at the spectacular Central Saint Martin’s campus in King’s Cross, London.

The Forum “will be the design calendar’s most enlightening and intensive one-day conference” according to organisers, bringing together the brightest industry leaders, thinkers and makers from around the world. The event is being curated and delivered by the London Design Festival team.

The purpose of the Forum is to demonstrate design’s role in creating a more sustainable and prosperous future. The forum will bring together an alliance of organisations and talents – “from the most dynamic start-ups to the world’s most successful brands”; from key public sector figures to the most innovative design studios; from social entrepreneurs to cultural pacesetters – “to not just exchange ideas but to set the agenda for design’s impact on our world”.

The Global Design Forum takes place during London Design Festival 2012 “We stay ahead by being different and more relevant each year” says Ben Evans, the festival’s director.

Cities proclaim 29 June World Industrial Design Day

The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) has announced that four cities will proclaim 29 June, World Industrial Design Day – as the Mayors of Dublin (Ireland), Graz (Austria), Helsinki (Finland) and Torino (Italy) have already signed proclamations. Pledges to sign the declaration before the official day of observance have also been received from Kauniainen (Finland), Ljubljana (Slovenia) and New York City (USA) have been made . These cities are joining Montreal (Canada), the first city to sign a proclamation in 2010, in commemorating this important day for industrial design.

The acknowledgment, through the signed proclamations from eight cities declaring World Industrial Design Day, affirms the importance of industrial design to a city’s social and economic development and reinforces the relevance of programming championed by Icsid within the international design community.

“World Industrial Design Day is an excellent way to highlight the societal dimension of design,” said Mr. Jussi Pajunen, Mayor of Helsinki. “Design has become a key driver for smart and sustainable cities all over the world. As World Design Capital 2012, one of the largest expeditions into design ever undertaken, we are committed to being a global forerunner in using design as tool to improve the quality of life of our citizens.”

This year, to mark World Industrial Design Day, organisations from around the world are hosting events to celebrate their industrial designers and the fruits of their labour. Design Schools such as the Scuola Italiana Design (Italy) and Universidad Catolica Nuestra Senora de la Asuncion (Paraguay) are creating a montage of video interviews on design and hosting local poster competitions, respectively, in order to spread awareness throughout and beyond their design community. Two organisations in India, Tata Elxsi and Rana Chaitable Trust are holding nation-wide design contests to commemorate the day.

In addition to events in Belgium, Canada, the Philippines and Venezuela, Executive Mayor of Cape Town, Patricia de Lille and Icsid President Soon-in Lee will participate in the signing ceremony of the Host-City Agreement for World Design Capital 2014. The City of Cape Town was designated World Design Capital 2014 by Icsid at the 2011 IDA Congress in Taipei [Taiwan, (Chinese Taipei)]. The Signing Ceremony marks the first signature event for Cape Town as it officially assumes the title of World Design Capital 2014 and reveals its colour rendition of the WDC logo.

London Design Festival -15 to 23 September 2012

Over ten days in September, the London Design Festival will feature hundreds of events that take place across London, showcasing the city’s pivotal role in global design.

First staged in 2003, the London Design Festival is one of the world’s most important annual design events. The Festival programme is made up of over 300 events and exhibitions staged by hundreds of partner organisations across the design spectrum and from around the world.

The Festival is both a cultural and a commercial event. The programme ranges from major international exhibitions to trade events, installations to talks and seminars, from product launches to receptions, private views and parties. The majority of events are free of charge – enabling visitors to participate, listen, learn, commission and make purchases.

The Festival is funded through a combination of public and private sources. The Mayor Of London’s office provides grant funding for the Festival; Arts Council England have been long term supporters of the Festival. Private funding (approx 60%) is raised through sponsorship of Festival projects alongside a small range of London Design Festival products and services delivered throughout the year.

Almost 350,000 direct visitors attended events listed as part of the Festival in 2011 and the Festival attracted substantial press coverage, with 1,811 articles about the Festival appearing worldwide.

In denial about Climate Change?

Dublin born Jon Berkeley created this illustration for the launch issue of 2050 magazine – a new publishing venture dealing with renewable energy. The publishers intend to attract crowd funding with their launch issue – check it out here.

“while 99.99% of independent scientific opinion believes that our accelerated CO2 emissions over the last 50 years are the direct cause of global warming, which, if left unchecked much longer, will see 20% of the world’s land mass submerged in seawater by the year 2050, only 35% of the general public believes them.”

Jon Berkeley has worked as a freelance illustrator for a quarter of a century and more recently has taken to writing. He is the author and illustrator of Chopsticks, a story about the friendship between a mouse and a dragon, and is the author of the Wednesday Tales series—The Palace of Laughter, The Tiger’s Egg, and The Lightning Key. His illustrations have appeared on the covers of The Washington Post, The Sunday Times, Time Magazine, The Economist, The Global Legal Post, The LA Times and many other prestigious magazines.

Conceived@NUIM – Design innovation concepts brought to life

Design Innovation End of the Year Show is taking place on 7th June at 7pm in Iontas Foyer, North Campus, NUI Maynooth.

The theme of the show is ‘Design Innovation concepts brought to life’. The centerpiece of the show is the display of students’ individual and group final design projects.

The Department of Design Innovation at NUIM studies design as the driver of modern innovation. It is home to the disciplines of Design and Design-inspired Innovation at NUI Maynooth – teaching and researching design as a strategic and creative user-centred discipline that is at the heart of modern innovation.

The following projects (and many more) will be presented:
Digital Patient Wristband – Gearoid Conway
RJB Golf Bag – Jamie Maguire
Lifestyle Luggage for an Urban Environment – Stephen Martin
Ease Comport Chair – Carl McAteer
Attach: High Chair – Darragh O’Connell
iNteract: Socially Interactive Speaker – Sean O’Connor
Aura: Women’s Personal Safety Accessory – Marion O’Keeffe
Buddy Holly’s Chordboard – Darren Travers

Light Fantastic – exhibition of lighting design in the Malthouse Design Centre

There is a vibrant product design sector emerging in Ireland. Light Fantastic is a showcase of the work of 16 lighting designers currently taking place in the Malthouse Design Centre – a dedicated specialist enterprise centre focused on furniture and product design. The exhibition runs until 31 May.

Exhibitors include Shane Holland, Sasha Sykes, Glasshammer, Kathryn Payne and Aislinn Lynch. Shane Holland’s Arthur Lamp (see pictured here) is one of the exhibits on show. Opening Hours are 10am to 5pm. The Malthouse Design Centre is based in Distillery Court, 537 North Circular Road, Dublin 1.

Catalysto wins Bronze Award at ICAD Awards for its creative work for the Institute of Art Design & Technology (IADT).: July 5th, 2013

Catalysto was awarded a bronze bell (the highest award given in the category) for its work on the IADT 2012/2013 collateral. Appointed by IADT in 2012, Catalysto was tasked with strengthening and re-positioning the IADT brand through a complete overhaul of the institute’s extensive range of printed brochures, catalogues, prospectuses, handbooks and more. The resulting […]
World Industrial Design Day: April 24th, 2013

World Industrial Design Day, an initiative of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid), is observed annually on 29 June in recognition of the profession of industrial design. World Industrial Design Day was established to promote awareness of the profession of industrial design, highlight the contribution designers and academics have made to the […]
Closing date for the second call to the WDC Micro-Loan Fund for the Creative Industries is last working day of March 2013.: March 5th, 2013

The Western Development Commission (WDC) has launched its 2nd call for funding applicants under its Micro Loan Fund for Creative Industries. Following a very successful first call in June of last year, the fund has already disbursed €120,000 to creative businesses in the Western Region and looks forward to increasing its disbursals over 2013. The […]
The Illustrated Beatles: October 23rd, 2012

An exhibition of Beatle-inspired works by 42 leading Irish illustrators Illustrators Ireland and The Grand Social present an exhibition of artwork inspired by The Beatles. October 23rd 2012. Creatives, art directors & broadcasters chose their favourite Beatles song. Songs were then allocated to Illustrators Ireland members … who used it as a starting point to […]
illusive forms and letters (typography-calligraphy-graffiti): June 27th, 2012

Stroke Urban Art Fair – Berlin, 13 – 16 September 2012. The Stroke Urban Art Fair Berlin, now in its third year will take place once again at the Postbahnhof Berlin. Within the last two years, more than 60,000 visitors came to see artists and galleries from all over the world including Poland, Brazil, Austria, […]
Global Design Forum … one day to set the global agenda for design: June 25th, 2012

The organisers are calling it “A creative platform for presenting and debating important and controversial ideas, both on and off the stage” Tuesday 18th September 2012 is the date of the inaugural Global Design Forum, taking place at the spectacular Central Saint Martin’s campus in King’s Cross, London. The Forum “will be the design calendar’s […]
Cities proclaim 29 June World Industrial Design Day: June 25th, 2012

The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) has announced that four cities will proclaim 29 June, World Industrial Design Day – as the Mayors of Dublin (Ireland), Graz (Austria), Helsinki (Finland) and Torino (Italy) have already signed proclamations. Pledges to sign the declaration before the official day of observance have also been received […]
London Design Festival -15 to 23 September 2012: June 25th, 2012

Over ten days in September, the London Design Festival will feature hundreds of events that take place across London, showcasing the city’s pivotal role in global design. First staged in 2003, the London Design Festival is one of the world’s most important annual design events. The Festival programme is made up of over 300 […]
In denial about Climate Change?: June 5th, 2012

Dublin born Jon Berkeley created this illustration for the launch issue of 2050 magazine – a new publishing venture dealing with renewable energy. The publishers intend to attract crowd funding with their launch issue – check it out here. “while 99.99% of independent scientific opinion believes that our accelerated CO2 emissions over the last 50 […]
Conceived@NUIM – Design innovation concepts brought to life: May 28th, 2012

Design Innovation End of the Year Show is taking place on 7th June at 7pm in Iontas Foyer, North Campus, NUI Maynooth. The theme of the show is ‘Design Innovation concepts brought to life’. The centerpiece of the show is the display of students’ individual and group final design projects. The Department of Design Innovation […]
Light Fantastic – exhibition of lighting design in the Malthouse Design Centre: May 28th, 2012

There is a vibrant product design sector emerging in Ireland. Light Fantastic is a showcase of the work of 16 lighting designers currently taking place in the Malthouse Design Centre – a dedicated specialist enterprise centre focused on furniture and product design. The exhibition runs until 31 May. Exhibitors include Shane Holland, Sasha Sykes, Glasshammer, […]
Design Graduate End-of-Year Show 2012 calendar: May 24th, 2012

Athlone Institute of Technology Event title: The Design At AIT Graduate Exhibition 2012 Location: Showing on the main campus of the Athlone Institute of Technology, Dublin Road, Athlone, Co Westmeath Opening Date: Private View Opening on Friday May 25th at 6.30pm Open to the Public from Tuesday June 5th Closing Date: Friday June 8th Times […]
Nokia Pure: May 23rd, 2012

Dalton Maag’s type family Nokia Pure recently won the Graphics category of one of the most prestigious awards in design, the Design Museum ‘Designs of the Year 2012’. These awards showcase the most innovative and progressive designs from around the world, spanning seven categories: Architecture, Digital, Fashion, Furniture, Graphics, Product and Transport. It is very […]
Ticket to London Olympics: May 23rd, 2012

The ticket design for the 2012 London Olympics has been released. The tickets were designed by Futurebrand, they incorporate pictogram designs by SomeOne and the logo created by Wolff Olins.
Wallpaper represents hope in Cape Town – World Design Capital 2014: May 22nd, 2012

During the bidding phase of Cape Town’s Winning World Design Capital 2014 campaign, the focus was often on the need that Cape Town had, not for high-end ‘stuff and pretty objects’, but for creative problem solving. The emphasis was on the important role that interesting, functional and beautiful objects and environments play in transforming lives […]
Open Manifesto Issue 6 (Myth) launched: May 22nd, 2012

Open Manifesto began as a humble idea in Ireland in the mid 90s, but it took a further eight years to develop into a fully fledged publication. The first issue was published in 2004 in Sydney, Australia, where founder Kevin Finn was then based. In early 2010, Finn Creative relocated to Brisbane, Australia, where Open […]
THNK, the Amsterdam School of Creative Leadership announces additions to its foundation board: May 21st, 2012

THNK, the Amsterdam School of Creative Leadership, was founded as an international educational foundation, launched in March 2012. Its creative leadership program is designed to accelerate the development of creative leaders, turn global challenges and crises into opportunities, and create a more meaningful and sustainable way of life.
No Talk, All Action – Launch a Startup in 54 hours at Startup Weekend Dublin (2nd to 4th of March 2012): January 27th, 2012

Startup Weekend is a global network of passionate leaders and entrepreneurs on a mission to inspire, educate, and empower individuals, teams and communities. Startup Weekends are 54-hour events where developers, designers, marketers, product managers and startup enthusiasts come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startups! Beginning with open mic pitches on […]
IxDA – Interaction12, International Conference, Dublin, Ireland: January 10th, 2012

Interaction12 is a four-day event in Dublin from February 1st to 4th, 2012, where keynotes and speakers from around the world will represent all connections to Interaction Design. This is the fifth annual conference hosted by the Interaction Design Association (IxDA). Each year, IxDA aims to gather the interaction design community to connect, educate, and […]
The winners of the Design Business Ireland Irish Design Effectiveness Awards (IDEA) 2011 have been announced: December 19th, 2011

The Design Business Ireland awards are unique in Ireland. The brief for the jury is to identify and reward the entry that was the most effective piece of design and delivered tangible, measurable economic benefits to the client – that’s why we call them the Irish Design Effectiveness Awards (IDEA)! The IDEA Awards reward designers […]
The Jury deliberated…: December 8th, 2011

The Design Business Ireland awards are unique in Ireland. The brief for the jury is to identify and reward the entry that was the most effective piece of design and delivered tangible, measurable economic benefits to the client – that’s why we called them the Irish Design Effectiveness Awards (IDEA)! This year we had a […]
Universal Design Challenge 2011: November 3rd, 2011

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) at the National Disability Authority (NDA) promotes Universal Design through education, guidance and awareness projects. Flash Conference on Universal Design for Irish Education The Flash Conference on Universal Design for Irish Education on November 4th, 2011 will briefly showcase 6 projects advancing Universal Design in education in […]
City of Cape Town appointed as World Design Capital 2014: October 26th, 2011

“Taipei, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei) – The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) announced today that the City of Cape Town (South Africa) has been designated the World Capital Design (WDC) 2014. Cape Town is the fourth city to hold this biennial appointment and marks the first for the African continent”. Respect Cape Town […]
It’s the end of the World: October 25th, 2011

Actually it’s only the end of the World Design Capital 2014 Bid Process. Wednesday 26th at noon in Taipei (5am in Dublin) the announcement confirming which of the three short-listed cities will be designated WDC 2014 will be made. Win, Lose or Draw the Thomas Reid (corner of Parliament Street and Dame Street) has been […]
World Design Capital (WDC) 2014 winner to be announced on the final day of International Design Alliance (IDA) Congress in Taipei: October 18th, 2011

A little more than one week from now the activists behind two city bids will be distraught while those of the winning city on the shortlist – Cape Town, Dublin or Bilbao will be dancing in the streets. Who is it to be … Capetonians, Dubliners or Bilbaínos? Those attending the official announcement of the […]
DBI launches a member’s endorsement identity: October 12th, 2011

Design Business Ireland is the national professional organisation that promotes and strengthens the design sector in Ireland by bringing together Business, Education, Government and Design. DBI helps create conditions where professional excellence can flourish and where mutually beneficial partnerships are nurtured between the design community, its clients and stakeholders. As part of its commitment to […]
World Design Capital 2014 – ‘Building the Groundswell for Pivot Dublin’: June 23rd, 2011

Dublin is now shortlisted for designation as World Design Capital 2014. As the tension-filled days passed, and the bids were submitted, the organisers announced that over 50 cities had expressed interest – now our city is one of just three left in the race. The prize is an important one. Becoming World Design Capital in […]
Dublin on WDC 2014 shortlist: June 21st, 2011

The news that Dublin is one of the three cities short-listed for designation as World Design Capital 2014 is welcomed by the representative bodies of the Irish Creative Sector. Although certain of the irrefutable power of the Pivot Dublin bid there has been a period of nail-biting tension for members of the Irish Creative Community […]
World Design Capital (WDC) 2014 – Shortlist Fever: June 5th, 2011

Anyone who has worked on the management side of awards and competitions knows that the process revolves around a series of dates – launch dates, call for entry dates, assessment dates, judging dates, announcement dates – after which there may be a short break before the process begins again. The level of tension and stress […]
Design Graduate End-of-Year Shows: May 26th, 2011

Athlone Institute of Technology Eddie Ryan, Senior Lecturer in Design Email: eryan@AIT.IE The ‘Design at AIT’ Graduate Show opens on Friday May 27th at 6.30pm for the Private Viewing, and opens to the public on Tuesday May 31st to Thursday June 2nd: 10am – 8pm and Friday June 3rd: 10am – 4pm You can see […]
Design and Craft Summer School 2011 … The Design Tower Grand Canal Quay, Dublin 2: May 26th, 2011

Housed in an old sugar refinery in Dublin’s’ Grand Canal Basin, The Design Tower is home to a variety of award-winning designers, artists and craftspeople. This June you will be able to learn skills directly from the professionals, in their studios in small intimate classes. These classes are aimed at artists and those with creative […]
Coming to your senses: May 25th, 2011

Is Multisensory design the new outer limit? … we design for the eyes, the ears, the nose, the tongue and for our other senses – balance, body awareness and temperature. Usually our design solutions engage at most two senses. The term multi-media is a bit of an exaggeration or at least an overstatement … sure […]
“No pre-contract strategic proposal or visual concept should leave your building without its barcode”: May 23rd, 2011

We, on the professional creative side of the fence, know the value of our work. Professional clients know it too and respect the value of our creative input into their success … mutual respect for the creative process safeguards its integrity and value – and our livelihoods. Most clients are, like most designers, decent professional […]
The brand is the experience and the experience is the brand: May 20th, 2011

Apple has become the world’s #1 brand. Garrett Stokes [creative director at catalysto] talks about how the soaring value of a brand is based, not on products or visual identities, but on consumer’s experiences. The Apple brand has an estimated value of $153 billion … Apple’s total tangible assets are half that. The brand is […]
A new and innovative way to see (and experience) Dublin: May 10th, 2011

Storymap – an engaging collection of stories and experiences, each about a place in Dublin can be accessed online at www.storymap.ie A newly launched project called Storymap which, according to Thomas Rowley (who runs Storymap.ie along with a colleague, Andy Flaherty) “is a website that collects interesting stories about Dublin, films them in the relevant […]
Spring 2011 – Vilnius design week: 9-13 May ICOGRADA in partnership with Ministry of Culture and Lithuanian Graphic Design Association (LGDA): May 8th, 2011

Russell Kennedy, Icograda President 2009-2011 says: “Through the theme of ‘Spring’, Icograda Design Week in Vilnius 2011 explores design as a powerful process that transitions ideas into functional realities. Participants will examine design as a basis for development – a tool that can be used to advance the best interests of humanity and the ecology. […]
Pivot Dublin – World Design Capital (WDC) LinkedIn Discussion Group is now an open group – join now and contribute to Dublin’s future as a Design Capital: May 7th, 2011

Design plays an important role in society. For the first time in human history, the world’s population is now mostly urban. Designers (employing ‘design-thinking’ across a wide range of problem-solving disciplines) are leading the development of new products, services and processes that enhance and enrich the lives of city dwellers. Design and Innovation are inextricably […]
Open House Dublin has secured the necessary funding for its annual book through Fundit.: May 6th, 2011

417 subscribers pledged €17,612 (17% over target) by the end of the fundraising campaign. Congratulations to all concerned … Fund it is an Irish crowdfunding website for creative projects, giving everyone the power to help good ideas happen. It is designed to support greater individual giving to the creative sector. The success of this campaign […]
Open House Dublin Annual Book – €8,399.00 needed within the next 7 days – get on fundit.ie and play your part: April 27th, 2011

Fund it is an Irish crowdfunding website for creative projects, giving everyone the power to help good ideas happen. It is designed to support greater individual giving to the creative sector. Open House Dublin is the biggest celebration of architecture in Ireland presented by the Irish Architecture Foundation. Over one weekend in October, buildings of […]
Shooting ourselves in both feet: April 4th, 2011

A letter appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner on March 15, 2011. It was written by a typesetter who has successfully tendered for projects for The Royal Irish Academy over the course of eight years. The author was unsuccessful this year and the project was awarded to an overseas service provider who […]
Making a Mark at Rebrand 100 Global Awards: March 7th, 2011

REBRAND is a leading resource focused on effective brand transformations. The annual REBRAND 100 Global Awards is a highly regarded recognition for repositioned brands. Global organizations, Fortune 50 corporations, small businesses, accomplished entrepreneurs, respected nonprofit organizations, cities, and renowned universities from around the world are regularly represented in the REBRAND 100 Global Awards. The 2011 […]
Design Business Ireland EGM: February 23rd, 2011

Design Business Ireland is the national professional organisation representing design businesses in Ireland. The DBI EGM is taking place on Wednesday February 23rd at 6pm in the Radisson Blu Royal Hotel, Golden Lane, Dublin 8 and (among other issues) attendees will be discussing the future of DBI and the design industry in Ireland, the growing […]
World Design Impact Prize: February 23rd, 2011

The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) recently unveiled the World Design Impact Prize, an innovative and interactive design prize dedicated to recognizing, empowering and stimulating socially responsible design projects and initiatives around the world. Starting 22 February 2011 at www.icsid.org, Icsid will begin accepting nominations from member organisations for exceptional industrial design […]
The Innovate!100 list of outstanding and fast-moving start-up companies: December 9th, 2010

The Innovate!100 list of outstanding and fast-moving start-up companies from around the world has been announced. The list was developed after more than 30 Innovate! Pitch Slam events were held on five continents over the past 10 months as part of the Innovate! 2010 program. Dublin’s Pitch Slam took place March 8. Getting onto the […]
Expect to be inspired: November 21st, 2010

As the pressure intensifies and the submission deadline comes closer, Dublin’s Bid for World Design Capital, 2014 comes more sharply into perspective. The closing date for tenders was Tuesday 26 October 2010 – so an announcement about the winner must be imminent. Their role will be to prepare the bid presentation (working closely with Dublin […]
For two days in January Helsinki and Paris will be World Design Capital: November 16th, 2010

My favourite city is Helsinki, or perhaps its Paris, no Helsinki, Paris! It is a choice I won’t have to make next January as I can enjoy two days when Helsinki and Paris will be World Design Capital. The 8th International Conference on the Challenges of Design Support in Europe will take place in Paris […]
Design Week – everything is a highlight!: November 5th, 2010

After an exceptional opening on Monday, Design Week (sponsored by Crown Paints) continues to entertain, inform and illuminate. Opening duties fell to Wayne Hemingway – co-founder of Red or Dead. Humorous, creative, modest, imaginative are some of the words that spring to mind – Inspirational is another. It was the perfect opening. Tuesday night saw […]
World Design Capital Bid Resources – Pivot Dublin: September 30th, 2010

Dublin City Council has published a Request for Tender for those interested in bidding to provide ‘bid support’ to DCC for the Official Pivot Dublin Bid to achieve designation as World Design Capital 2014. Those intending to respond to DCCs Request for Tender may find the following links useful. I will continuously update this information […]
Thai Design industry enjoys a head start!: September 22nd, 2010

TCDC permanent exhibition, members lounge and library There is a 543 year difference between the Buddhist calendar and the Gregorian calendar. The year 2010 in Europe is 2553 in Thailand. In some respects the Thais are already ‘in the future’. From the ‘national design infrastructure’ perspective they are certainly ahead of us. I have spent […]
Meet the World’s Smartest Start-up … in Dublin (it could be you): September 10th, 2010

IBM’s SmartCamp is an exclusive program bringing together entrepreneurs, investors and experienced mentors who want to build a Smarter Planet. The programme provides access to world-class advisors plus a direct route to seed and venture capital. SmartCamp is a global program which will be run in the following eight cities in 2010: Stockholm (20 May); […]
Where are the Irish?: September 10th, 2010

We are well known absentees when it comes to participating in International Creative/Innovation events, symposia, meetings and awards. Examples are easy to identify – there were no Irish representatives in Seoul for the World Design Capital Congress in February at which the intending bidders for the WDC designation in 2014 met those who would decide […]
Jammy deal for creative industry leader: September 10th, 2010

Good news for animators who are also job seekers … as Irish animation group Jam Media signs a contract with the BBC to produce three children’s television series. Founder John Rice says that the company that currently employs 15 people will hire an additional 40 staff. The deal “covers-off the next 2½ years for us […]
IxDA’s Big Deal in Dublin: September 7th, 2010

“Interaction design is a systematic and iterative process for designing highly interactive user interfaces. Methodology includes research and discovery techniques such as requirements analysis, stakeholder analysis, task analysis, as well as prototyping, inspection and evaluation methods” … or “The process of creating an interface for the user to engage with a site or application’s functionality […]
What’s missing at Terminal 2? Could it be ‘voluptuous panic’?: August 6th, 2010

T3 Slide Changi Airport, Singapore Having taken a tour of Terminal 2 at Dublin Airport recently I have to say it is very impressive – inside and out. The fit-out is ongoing in advance of its opening later this year. Congratulations and Respect to everyone involved. I have only one gripe … I saw no […]
Q. Dutch Design, what is it up to? A. Everything!: July 28th, 2010

Design as Politics The offspring of the Ministry of Housing, Spatial Planning and the Environment (Volkshuisvesting, Ruimtelijke Ordening en Milieu) of the Netherlands and the faculty of Architecture at the Delft University of Technology is the Chair of Design as Politics! The Chair of Design as Politics will be “exploring, researching and defining the boundaries, […]
The next six months in Seoul (calendar of 82 events): July 21st, 2010

July 2010 (14 events): International Young Designers Workshop Seoul Youth Creativity Summit & Festival (until August) “Children and Parents Joining Together” Design Workshop (until August) Project of Local Community Artist Development (until August) Hanstyle Expo 2010 Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival (July 21-25) Seoul Character & Licensing Fair 2010 Design Exhibition at Kumho Museum […]
“Why is Ireland falling behind in Design innovation?”: July 21st, 2010

A recent Irish Times article asked the question – “Why is Ireland falling behind in Design innovation?” The author left the question unanswered – but asked several more. In truth Ireland is not simply falling behind in design innovation, it is falling FURTHER behind and not just in innovation or design innovation but right across […]
Busy time for Creatives / Innovators / Designers: July 19th, 2010

This autumn is going to be a busy time with a number of significant events taking place in Dublin and nationally … 1. Association Typographique Internationale – AtypI ATypI (Association Typographique Internationale) is the premier worldwide organisation dedicated to type and typography. Founded in 1957, ATypI provides the structure for communication, information and action amongst […]
‘Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries’: June 23rd, 2010

The European Commission Directorate-General Education and Culture has published a Green Paper entitled “Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries”. This Green Paper raises important issues and asks important questions. The answers will have profound effects on Europe – ‘Unlocking the potential of cultural and creative industries’ is a significant undertaking … and success […]
New ICAD Board elected …: June 22nd, 2010

The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design [ICAD] 2010/2011 board members elected at the recent AGM are: Pearse McCaughey, Cawley Nea | TBWA (ICAD President) Ciara Cantwell, Associate Fiona Kinsella, Jumper Productions Ian McFarlane, ICAN Keith Walsh, Chemistry Iain Slater, Slater (Northern Ireland Representative) Pearse McCaughey is no stranger to the ICAD Board having previously […]
OFFSET2010 Line Up announced: June 16th, 2010

A line-up of exceptional speakers has been announced for OFFSET2010. The event will take place over 3 Days in 2 ‘Synchronised rooms of Inspiration featuring the best creative talent in the world’… Speakers include: Adrian Shaughnessy and Tony Brook (Unit Editions) – Graphic Designers / Publishers www.uniteditions.com Aiden Grennelle (Image Now) – Graphic Designer www.imagenow.ie […]
ICAD AGM takes place June 17th: June 15th, 2010

The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design [ICAD] was established in 1958. It is one of Europe’s oldest Creative Industry organisations – the vastly more famous and hugely resourced UK equivalent D&AD is four years ICAD’s junior. ICAD’s mission is ‘to foster, promote and reward creative excellence in Irish Advertising & Design’ and it does […]
Lava voted ‘European Design Agency of the Year’: June 3rd, 2010

Congratulations to Paul Hughes and colleagues (Paul [NCAD Graduate] is partner and strategy director at Lava Graphic Design, Amsterdam). Lava was voted ‘European Design Agency of the Year’ at the fourth European Design Awards held in Rotterdam … http://www.lava.nl/english
South Korea appoints international design advisor: June 2nd, 2010

The Government of South Korea has appointed an internationally respected design leader to act as its advisor for the development of their new National Visual Identity. The client is the Presidential Council on Nation Branding which falls (unsurprisingly) under the direction of South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. Michel de Boer is creative director of the […]
Social Science in Innovation and Technology: May 28th, 2010

The next ‘Innovation Interface’ – a series of talks about social science, design and innovation – takes place next Thursday, 3rd June at 6.30pm at The Science Gallery on Pearse Street, Dublin. Speaker at the event is Nina Wakeford, widely regarded as one of the world’s leading practitioners in the use of social science in […]
Vincent O’Byrne … Master of the Craft of Photography: May 27th, 2010

The Guild of Photographers (UK) has recognized one of Ireland’s outstanding photographers – Vincent O’Byrne. Vincent has been given the distinction of becoming one of the Guild’s first two Masters (along with UK based Tony Nutley). The title is in effect a ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award, offered by invitation only for ‘outstanding contribution to the art […]
European Design Festival in Rotterdam: May 21st, 2010

Representatives from fourteen European communications design magazines form the jury at The European Design Awards during ED-Festival, which will take place 28 to 30 May 2010, in Rotterdam. The event, ED-Festival, takes place in a different European City every year and this year consists of Exhibitions, including “Ideas from Rotterdam” which takes place in City […]
Finnish Design Innovation on show at Tokyo Design Week: May 18th, 2010

Finland is rightly regarded as one of the leading design / innovation nations in the world. Design District Helsinki is a remarkable hive of creative and design activity and retail outlets. Established in 2010, the Aalto University is “a new university with centuries of experience”. The first high-level innovation forum between Russia and the European […]
Ghost Estates / Ghost Careers: May 17th, 2010

The Maynooth-based National Institute of Regional and Spatial Analysis (NIRSA) recently issued a county-by-county breakdown of housing estates where more than half of the properties are empty or remain ‘under development’ and provided details behind its recent claim that more than 300,000 new homes are empty including those in 621 ‘ghost estates’ – this figure […]
New Board, new research from Design Business Ireland [DBI]: May 11th, 2010

A new board was elected by the membership of Design Business Ireland on 8th May 2010. Marie McGrath, from Huguenot, Mark Sheils, from Form and James Nelson from Drawing Inc (members of the 2009 board) were re-elected. They are joined by John Moore, Clickworks and Garrett Stokes who has been elected to the position of […]
Where are the Irish?: May 6th, 2010

If we are going to be players in the ‘Innovation Game’ (the only game in town) or in the creative industries (the other ‘only game in town’) we need to position ourselves at the heart of the debate here, on the island and in the world at large. We need to talk among ourselves – […]
World Design Capital (WDC) – Was WDC; Is WDC; Will be WDC … and Wanna-be WDC: May 6th, 2010

Dublin is considering a bid for WDC designation in either 2014 or 2016. Anyone interested in World Design Capital events can find information by following these links: WAS WDC 2008: Torino IS WDC 2010: Seoul Design Olympiad and Seoul – World Design Capital 2010 WILL BE WDC 2012: Helsinki – World Design Capital WANNA BE […]
Creative Industry in Ireland: May 5th, 2010

[The following is an extract from the report “Dublin: World Design Capital – Is the Irish Creative, Design and Applied Arts Sector fit for purpose?”] Anyone taking an objective view of the design and creative industry in Ireland/Dublin will quickly see some fundamental issues that need to be addressed if Ireland is to compete internationally […]
Future Taipei bid for WDC gains momentum: May 5th, 2010

In a significant ‘shot in the arm’ for any future bid from Taipei to become World Design Capital, Taiwan has attracted the 2011 IDA Congress. IDA is the World Design Capital (WDC) Awarding Body and Taipei is widely expected to bid for WDC designation for either 2014 or 2016. 2011 IDA Congress Following a year-long […]
Art Directors Club of Europe: Call for Entries 2010: May 5th, 2010

The Best of European Design and Advertising Deadline: 4 June This will be the 19th Edition of the Art Directors Club of Europe Awards – held annually in Barcelona. The judging takes place over the 9th and 10th July and the Awards are presented at a celebration event on the evening of the 10th. For […]
Innovation – Where Does it Begin?: April 30th, 2010

There are attempts being made to turn Ireland into an Innovation Economy. Not everyone understands what an Innovation Economy is but that’s ok, we don’t all need to share the same understanding, all the time, about every issue. It is sometimes a little demoralizing though, when we hear people who should know what Innovation is, […]
Portrait of the City: April 30th, 2010

Framing the significance of historic urban landscapes Dublin Castle, December 9th, 10th and 11th 2010 Deadline call for abstracts: May 15th 2010 Information: www.portrait-of-the-city.com In December 2010 the School of Architecture, Landscape and Civil Engineering, University College Dublin and the Office of Public Works will host a multi-disciplinary international conference to explore the significance of […]
Dublin Service Design Thinks – 12th May – 7pm to 9pm…: April 30th, 2010

The first Service Design Thinks in Dublin is an opportunity for people interested in service design to come together, share work, discuss, debate and shape service design practice in Ireland. As an introduction to the space, the speakers will reflect on the role of service design in enterprise, social innovation and education. It’s free but […]
Irish Reports: April 29th, 2010

RESPONSEeuGREEN 18_june Dublin: World Design Capital – Is the Irish Creative, Design & Applied Arts Sector fit for purpose? CreativeD Info Sheet 2009 Skills in Creativity FORFAS November 2009 IADT report CREATING FUTURES 2008 Intertrade Design Report 2008 Enterprise Ireland – Innovation, November 2005 Opportunities in Design Report 1999 Enterprise Ireland
International Reports: April 29th, 2010

Eindhoven WDC Bid 2012 Helsinki WDC Bid 2012 World Design Capital Shortlist 2012 Press Release WDC 2010 Seoul City Summit – Pajunen Speech UK Design Council 2009 Prince Philip Designers Prize Big Picture – John Kao, Harvard 2009 2008 Case Study of a Design Innovation Network Model in Thailand KIDP National Design Competitiveness 2008 GRIPS […]
Fixing the Irish Creative, Design and Applied Arts Sector: April 29th, 2010

[The following is an extract from the report “Dublin: World Design Capital – Is the Irish Creative, Design and Applied Arts Sector fit for purpose?”] In order to identify and rectify the negative issues that have curtailed the development of a strong creative sector, some of which are outlined in this document, it is essential […]
Blog Profile: April 29th, 2010

My name is Garrett Stokes. I am a partner in Catalysto. This blog is mainly about the Creative, Design, Innovation, Applied Arts sectors in Ireland and Internationally. It will provide information relating to a number of topics that are important to the sector – the World Design Capital (WDC) (Pivot Dublin project) for example, the […]
Colleges offering third level design courses in Ireland:: April 29th, 2010

Athlone Institute of Technology Carlow Institute of Technology Cork Institute of Technology Crawford College Dublin Institute of Technology Dundalk Institute of Technology Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design and Technology Grafton Academy Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology Griffith College Dublin Letterfrack Furniture College (GMIT) Letterkenny Institute of Technology Limerick Institute of Technology National College of Art […]
The Small Print: April 29th, 2010

The Small Print is an independent project with creativity at its core. The Small Print has grown into live events, art projects, publishing and much more besides. http://www.alwaysreadthesmallprint.com/welcome/
Refresh Dublin (Internet & Technology, Multimedia – New Media): April 29th, 2010

Refresh Dublin is a community of designers & developers working to refresh the creative, technical & professional culture of New Media in Dublin. Refresh Dublin is an event that promotes design, technology, usability and standards. The intent of Refresh Dublin is to provide a cross-discipline insight into all things design, interactive, creative and technical, so […]
PechaKucha Night: April 29th, 2010

PechaKucha Night was devised in Tokyo in February 2003 as an event for young designers to meet, network, and show their work in public. It now takes place in hundreds of cities around the world. Drawing its name from the Japanese term for the sound of “chit chat”, it rests on a presentation format that […]
IAF – The Irish Architecture Foundation: April 29th, 2010

The Irish Architecture Foundation’s role is to be a vibrant and passionate organisation that excites its audiences about the value of architecture. It is a focal point for the many people and organisations who wish to champion the power of architecture and urban design. The Irish Architecture Foundation co-ordinates the promotion of Irish architecture internationally. […]
Digital Media Forum: April 29th, 2010

The aim of The Digital Media Forum is to unify the Digital Media industry by creating cross-platform content programmes with a focus on innovation and commercial enterprise and to continually build best practice through its initiatives in training and education, with particular emphasis on enterprises that can build and maintain scale and become global players […]
CreativeD: April 29th, 2010

CreativeD is a network-based business support programme which aims to define, develop and promote the creative industries in Dublin city and county. It intends to provide the opportunity to: Network, building links and collaborating with others in the creative industries Enhance your business’ ability to identify and respond to new opportunities Attract investment in Creative […]
Enterprise Ireland: April 29th, 2010

Enterprise Ireland is the state agency responsible for the development of Irish companies. It provides a range of supports to meet client business needs and works with clients to help them use innovation and design as an integral part of business development. http://www.enterprise-ireland.com/
InterTradeIreland: April 29th, 2010

InterTradeIreland is the only organisation which has been given responsibility by both Governments to boost North/South economic co-operation to the mutual benefit of Northern Ireland and Ireland. By encouraging better use of our collective resources we help to expedite trade and business growth across the island; create an environment to make it easier to do […]
Forfas: April 29th, 2010

Forfás is Ireland’s national policy advisory body for enterprise and science. It is an agency of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. Skills in Creativity, Design and Innovation Report published in November 2009. http://www.forfas.ie/publication/search.jsp?ft=/publications/2009/Title,4896,en.php
Design Group, Invest Northern Ireland: April 29th, 2010

Design Group co-ordinates a range of initiatives and programmes to develop design knowledge, skills and capability and provides advice on how to harness design to deliver considerable commercial advantage. www.investni.com
The Centre for Design Innovation (CDI): April 29th, 2010

The Centre for Design Innovation (CDI) is an initiative of the Institute of Technology Sligo and is funded through the Applied Research Enhancement scheme of Enterprise Ireland. The CDI conducts research to establish the link between successful companies and their use of design; measure the efficacy of best practices to enable innovation through the use […]
CandyCollective: April 29th, 2010

Since starting in June 2005, the CandyCollective now consists of a core group of people all over the world who are intent on creating noise in their local area. CANDY magazine was launched to showcase Irish creativity alongside international equivalents to a worldwide audience. Since then many downloadable pdf format issues have been released and […]
Kilkenny Design: April 29th, 2010

In 1949 Professor Thomas Bodkin, in ‘Report on the Arts in Ireland’ (commissioned by the Irish Government) recommended Scandinavia as a model for the development and improvement of Industrial Design in Ireland. More than a decade later, in 1960, the Irish Government gave responsibility to the State body Corás Tráchtála (CTT), The Irish Export Board, […]
Design Ireland (#1): April 29th, 2010

A previous Design Ireland operated in the mid 1990s but closed within a few years of its inception. NO LONGER IN OPERATION
Design Ireland (#2): April 29th, 2010

Established in January 2000, the objective of Design Ireland was to inspire and encourage a positive understanding and utilisation of design by all strands of society, in particular business bodies and Governmental agencies, while internationally demonstrating the creative success and vitality of Irish Design. Design Ireland, an initiative of the combined representative bodies of the […]
Donegal Design Directorate (Skillnet): April 29th, 2010

The aim of the Donegal Design Directorate Skillnet Project is to promote the value of good design in business and to promote Donegal designers/design related businesses. It focused on design in all aspects from strategy and research, through functional and aesthetic design, production processes, branding, marketing, packaging, distribution, etc. NO LONGER IN OPERATION
Design Shannon (Skillnet): April 29th, 2010

Design Shannon offers Ireland a unique experiment in regional action for design and innovation, an experiment which strengthens the competitive basis of the Irish economy. It provides specialist and objective advice as well as bringing together the commercial and public sectors through its work. The aim of Design Shannon is to provide training that uses […]
The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design: April 28th, 2010

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD) was established by the National Disability Authority (NDA) in January 2007. Universal Design is the design and composition of an environment so that it can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size or disability. This includes […]
AAI – The Architectural Association of Ireland: April 28th, 2010

The Architectural Association of Ireland was founded in 1896 ‘to promote and afford facilities for the study of architecture and the allied sciences and arts, and to provide a medium of friendly communication between members and others interested in the progress of architecture’. AAI promotes a public lecture series and an annual awards scheme. In […]
DBI Design Business Ireland: April 28th, 2010

Design Business Ireland is committed to promoting the effectiveness and value of design to the Business Community, Government and the Design Community itself through advocacy, education and debate. It encourages fair and open competition while seeking to promote ethical practice and viable market conditions for its members and the design profession. It fosters a spirited […]
IA – The Interiors Association: April 28th, 2010

The Interiors Association is a multi-faceted support network open to the broad spectrum of professionals working within the Interior Architecture and Interior Design Community. IAs main objective is to enhance the profile and status of the Irish Interiors Industry on a nationwide basis by facilitating and supporting a body of professional accredited members. http://www.theinteriorsassociation.ie
ICAD – The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design: April 28th, 2010

ICAD’s mission is ‘to foster, promote and reward creative excellence in Irish Advertising & Design.’ The Institute of Creative Advertising & Design (ICAD) has been around since 1958 and in that time has seen the creative industry go through many changes, but one thing remains integral and that is its dedication to creative excellence. With […]
IDD – The Institute for Design and Disability: April 28th, 2010

IDD was established in 1991 following the European Conference on Design for Disability held in Dublin in 1989. The objective of the IDD is to promote the inclusion in society of people with disabilities through the exercise of good design. It has a membership of architects, designers, rehabilitation professionals and people with disabilities and is […]
IDI – The Institute of Designers in Ireland: April 28th, 2010

The Institute of Designers in Ireland is the professional body representing the interests of Irish designers. Its function is to promote high standards of design, to foster professionalism and to emphasise designers’ responsibility to society, to the client and to each other. The Institute represents designers from different disciplines who practice in Ireland. Formed in […]
RIAI – The Royal Institute of Architects in Ireland: April 28th, 2010

The RIAI is the Regulatory and support body for Architects in Ireland. Support services are also provided for architectural Technicians. Although the RIAI carries out a statutory function as the Registration Body and Competent Authority for Architects in Ireland this is carried out on an entirely self-funding basis. The RIAI does not receive any Government […]